Improvement in sewing-machine motors



B. 'c. CHAMBERS. Sewing-Machine Motors. f

No. 141,996. Patented Augustl9,1873

AM, PHDTOUTHOGRAPH/C co. NXQSMRNEE mama) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

BENJAMIN C. CHAMBERS, OF SHADY PLAIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINE MOTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,996, dated August19, 1873; application filed July 23,1873.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN OoUL'rEn CHAMBERS, of Shady'Plain, in thecounty of Armstrong and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Sewing-Machine Motors; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, that will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The drawing is an illustration of a side elevation of my invention.

This invention has relation to spring-actuated motors forsewing-machines; and consists in the construction and novel arrangementof mechanism for winding the spring by the alternating movement of thefeet, as here inafter described, the object being to produce acontinuous revolution of the power-shaft.

Referring to the drawings,A designates a sewing-machine motor composedof a train of gearing arranged in the usual manner, and driven by meansof a coiled spring, B, upon the power-shaft D. Upon the last shaft 6 ofthe train is a balance-wheel, E, and attached to a transverse bar, F,above said shaft is a pivoted brake, F, which, being pressed against theperiphery of the pinion g, arrests the movement of the motor. The handleof said brake so projects, as shown in the drawing, that the necessarypressure may be given from the knee of the sewing-machine attendant,who, in consequence, is enabled to govern the machine while both handsare employed in guiding the elothto be sewed. G G designate two stirrupsdepending from and loosely held upon the power-shaft outside the frameof the motor. These stirrups are designed to receive the feet of theoperator, and are provided with foot-plates g, holding-straps, or otherdevices, to make the feet fast thereto, and cause the stirrups to movewith the feet, the same,

during the winding operation, being respect ively moved alternately toand from, as in walking. Attached to the face of each stirrup is aspring'dog or pawl, L, which engages with a pawl, h, on or near theadjacent end of the power-shaft. When the stirrups are moved from theoperator the dogs act against the teeth of the ratchets, turning thelatter and eflecting at each revolution a partial winding of the spring.When the stirrups are drawn toward the operator the dogs yield and passover the teeth of the ratchets, thus preventing recoil or unwinding ofthe spring.

I do not claim, broadly, the use of devices for winding the spring of asewing-machine motor by the application of foot-power; but

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, with a sewing-machine motor, constructed substantiallyas shown, of a pair of ratchets arranged, respectively, at opposite endsof the power-shaft, and a pair of stirrups, having straps to hold thefeet, and provided with spring-dogs to turn the ratchets and produce acontinuous revolution of the power-shaft, as described.

In testimony. that I claim the foregoing l l have hereunto set my hand.

BENJAMIN GOULTER CHAMBERS.

Witnesses:

W. R. DUFF, J. T. ROBERTSON.

